noun
frame
FRAYM
noun
1
A rigid structure that supports or surrounds something, such as a picture, window, or building.
"He hung the photo in a wooden frame."
"The house's frame went up in just two days."
verb
1
To put a border or support structure around something.
"She framed the certificate and hung it on the wall."
"Builders framed the new extension over the weekend."
2
To present or word something in a particular way to shape how it is understood.
"The politician framed the tax hike as an investment in the future."
3
To falsely make someone appear guilty of a crime they didn't commit.
"He claimed he was framed by a corrupt detective."
How to Use Frame
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA supporting structure around something, or — as a verb — to build, present, or (informally) falsely blame someone.
Common mistake
The "falsely blame" sense ("he was framed") is informal but very common — don't mistake it for the literal building sense.
Common pairings
picture frame
frame someone
frame a debate
window frame
Word Forms
framed past tense, frames singular
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He hung the photo in a wooden _____.
Etymology
From Old English framian ("to profit, advance"), related to the word "from"; the "structure" sense developed via the idea of building or fitting things together.